Gas Operations & Maintenance Manager

Southwest Generation Valmont Facility; Escondido (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Onward Energy is seeking an Operations & Maintenance Manager for the Goal Line cogeneration plant in Escondido, California. You will lead maintenance and operations, ensuring safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance while guiding a team and coordinating with Plant Manager.

The role requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, 7+ years in power generation, and strong leadership. Travel may be required; the company offers a total rewards package and opportunities to impact performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline required.
• 7+ years in power generation or equivalent experience substituted for degree.
• Second-line supervisory experience preferred; knowledge of gas steam turbines and generators.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight to operations and maintenance within the plant.
• Ensure safety, environmental, regulatory compliance, and profitability targets.
• Manage budgets, reports, and performance metrics.
• Coordinate with Plant Manager and senior management on strategic initiatives.
• Oversee outage management, asset integrity, and project management.
• Promote a culture of safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Communication skills

Problem solving

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: Operations & Maintenance Manager

Reports To: Plant Manager

Direct Reports: Yes Functional Unit: Thermal Gas Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt Position Type: Full-Time

Onward Energy is an independent power platform that owns and operates over 7 GW of utility-scale wind, solar and natural gas generation projects across the U.S. Our Vision is to reliably power a sustainable future. Our Mission is that as North America’s premier independent power generator, we will deliver renewable and reliable power to our customers, opportunities to our employees, sustainable returns to the families who invest in us, and a better world to the next generation. Corporate Offices in Denver, New York and Charlotte, we are where renewable meets reliable. See www.onwardenergy.com for more information.

Goal Line is a 49.9-MW natural gas-fired cogeneration power plant located in Escondido, California. This facility is interconnected with the transmission system owned by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) within the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) market. Goal Line sells electricity generated by the Goal Line Facility to SDG&E pursuant to a long-term power purchase agreement.

THE CHALLENGE

The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manager is responsible for providing leadership along with daily oversight, direction, and guidance to operations and maintenance within the plant. Assist the Plant Manager (PM) in ensuring achievement of key operating objectives in the areas of employee safety, employee relations, environmental, profitability, unit availability, efficiency, equipment safety and reliability in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, polices, and procedures. In addition, provide specialized knowledge, skills, and oversight of day-to‑day plant functions.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist PM in providing oversight of and direction to all mission‑critical programs and processes such as performance management, outage management, project management, asset integrity and financial management.
• Ensure high plant reliability and overall cost competitiveness, without compromise to employee safety or environmental commitments.
• Support and emphasize the importance of safety and environmental programs and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Ensure the safety of all employees of the facility through elimination of injuries to employees, contractors and visitors.
• Interface with regulatory, political, business, civic and public representatives as directed by the PM or Onward Energy Senior Management.
• Ensure the plants are operated and maintained in compliance with all NERC and WECC regional standards, including performing self‑certifications and audits.
• Identify all permit requirements and ensure the applicable testing is performed and proper information is provided for renewing the permits as required by jurisdictional regulatory agencies.
• Assist in the development and administration of the O&M and Capital budgets.
• Prepare, maintain and provide a variety of reports/documents as required or upon request.
• Respond to plant trips and upsets as required.
• Create and support an organizational culture that encourages and rewards employee involvement, innovative thinking, adaptation to change, responsible risk taking, and continuous improvement.
• Promote productivity and teamwork with open communication, timely decision making, and use of leadership skills to set high standards of performance, while providing the direction necessary to achieve performance.
• Establish responsibilities, goals and expectations of assigned employees. Monitor and provide feedback to employees to ensure daily production activities support plant goals.
• Work under limited to no supervision.
• Independently prioritizes and executes responsibilities.
• Provide management direction in the absence of the PM.
• Oversee inventory management and procurement activities.
• Devise and implement profit improvement projects.
• Provide technical support to corporate business development and other Onward Energy plants as needed.
• Provides direct oversight to both Operations and Maintenance Managers.
• Works with Budget Analyst and managers to develop comprehensive O&M and Capital plans.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Other duties as assigned.

THE PROFILE TO SUCCEED

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in an engineering or related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in the power generation field or exceptional work or military experience in a related technical field may substitute for the degree.
• Previous second-line supervisory experience (i.e. Assistant Plant Manager, O&M manager, O&M Supervisor) is preferred.
• Knowledge of operation and maintenance of gas steam turbines and electrical generators.
• Maintain the highest standards of conduct and integrity in all dealings with or on behalf of ONW at all levels inside and outside the organization.
• Ability to lead, coach, and guide employees and understand the importance of positive employee relations.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, verbal skills that are persuasive, and the ability to promote business initiatives.
• Ability to plan, organize, schedule, and direct varied programs and tasks involved within the operations and maintenance functions.
• Must be able to read and understand control logistic diagrams, P&IDs, and other technical material pertinent to power plant operation and maintenance.
• Ability to obtain and apply knowledge of competitive business practices in daily work activities and decision making.
• Ability to anticipate and accept changes in the organization and adapt to meet new requirements.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Ability to demonstrate advanced computer knowledge of Word, Excel, Power Point and various other programs.
• Ability to follow both verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in specific functional area including standards, procedures, and applicable government/environmental regulations.
• Operational knowledge of work and asset management and analytical/reporting applications.
• Effective change leader with demonstrated ability to effectively communicate company and business area strategies and objectives to a variety of stakeholders.
• Proven results at achieving performance and operational metrics and driving process adherence.
• Demonstrated understanding of utility finance.
• Valid U.S. Driver license with acceptable MVR history.

THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to accomplish physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Adhere to large amounts of standing, walking, bending, squatting, and lifting. May be required to lift, carry, and move up to 50 lbs. Will use arms and hands to signal, grab, hold, turn, push, and pull objects, materials, controls and tools. Will occasionally work at heights, climb ladders, stairways, and work off of platforms. Will use vision abilities to focus, see short and long distances, colors, depth perception and peripheral vision. Will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including but not limited to hard hat, safety glasses/goggles, ear plugs/muffs, masks/respirators, safety vests, gloves and steel-toe boots.
• Able to hear (at some dB limit of loss) in order to hear plant alarms, equipment condition, and to receive oral instructions.
• Able to see to determine plant operating conditions and to avoid safety hazards.

THE TEAM

Onward Energy team is comprised of industry professionals who embrace our values of accountability, adaptability, collaboration, and excellence. At Onward Energy, we seek to find solutions rather than assign blame.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT

Performing this job without full/focused attention may cause serious injury or even fatality. Work is generally performed inside the power plant but may work in all weather conditions ranging from warm/hot - cool/cold. Occasional rain. Noise levels will be moderate to high. Job site will contain light to heavy equipment vehicles, small to large equipment, materials, communication equipment and tools. People standing, walking, sitting, signaling and talking. Bells, whistles and alarms. Some travel to and work at other sites required .

Onward Energy total rewards philosophy is motivated by a key tenet of People First, and offers employees a comprehensive total rewards package which includes market-competitive compensation, health, life insurance, and retirement savings benefits.

Onward Energy is an affirmative Action Employer, Females/Minority/Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.